those Christmas lights

& for the very first time, we got our tree not from home dept, but from a Christmas tree lot selling them in front of a church. They donate 30% of all profits to the church and also give them 15 ft trees, which we are very curious to stop by on Sunday and see! Besides that "warms your heart" revelation, we had our smoothest tree choosing in all our years. And that says a lot, because those days usually bring on an argument every year...(not proud of it) But what can I say, I'm passionate about getting the perfect tree, and its requirements also change from year to year. This year though, was different. Maybe it's a result of growing in my inner sense of peace, or the year of work I've done on gratitude or simply grace, but there were no tears or an awkward drive home; just happiness that we got a semi fat (my one requirements) 5 foot tree. Next year G knows, we're going for 7 footer! :) Christmas is all about Love, and the symbols we choose to bring into our home point to that Love. I'm so grateful. So this is Christmas. 

a merry olives chritmas 2019

After taking most of this year off from the blogging world, we're back for my FAVORITE time of year! Between celebrating the birth of Jesus, pretty twinkle lights, Holiday movies, Christmas hymns, inspirational services, birthday adventures, and really soaking up the last month of the year while preparing to start the new year strong, I love the month of December. Its really a special time to give and receive love from those around us. So, from us to you, merry December 1st! I hope you celebrate the season with our 6th annual Christmas playlist between your favorite holiday tunes. We love you!

Listen to our previous Christmas Playlists (starting in 2014!) on Spotify!

six month Miamiversary

Life lately, in photos!

Its been a long time since I've done one of these posts! But March is coming to an end, and time just doesn't seem to stop moving faster and faster these days. So here we go! Over the past few weeks...

 We've had family over our place for the first time and lots of Wynwood outings!

After watching the documentary on Shepard Fairey, we saw this wall in a whole new light!

LOL half the churro fell on the ground after this and I teared alittle

Walked down to south point for sunset and kept going back because the light is just stunning!

We've had some authentic Italian pizza and French cafe pastries which definitely impressed!

We celebrated G's 33rd birthday! I love him so much <3

And captured some random moments of everyday life

from sunsets at home

to workouts on the beach

and late night Rosetta dates

jamming at the Yard

practicing with our big camera by the water

walks all over the neighborhood

and Salty Donuts moments 

weekly trips to the beach

and too many selfies!

cute cafes for outdoor reading

joy

G baking away!

and nice tourists who offered to take a photo of us!

Holding on to these memories and more. There's a group of guys speaking French outside my window as I write this and that makes me so happy too. lol There's so much to appreciate in this life. 

We've also visited a few new churches and have also gone back to Vous because the word is so so good thanks to DC and Rich! We're still visiting churches so we can decide where to call church home, and honestly its been difficult not having our own yet. The church we both really liked had their last service downtown at Christmas because of construction on the building. This was a huge bummer for me because I remember thinking "this could be the one!" But we're believing in God's guidance and know our home church is here!

We're working hard in our jobs and I am loving perfecting my dessert recipes and bringing them to my girls at work because it means I don't eat an entire pavê to myself! lol I think we've settled into life in Miami Beach pretty well, and although it's not perfect and struggles are real, life is good and its a gift. I am so grateful to be living out our dreams here, and I believe God will continue guide us as we continue to surrender our lives to Him every day.

God, may we make a positive difference in the lives of those around us, and be your light in this world no matter where we are, every single day. Lead us to your heart.

I am thankful for these days <3